A leading researcher on religion with the American Psychological Association says that the field of psychology should not shy away from discussions of religion.

Kenneth I. Pargament, who edited the organization’s handbook on psychology, religion and spirituality, said that “positive religious coping methods include spiritual support from God or a higher power, rituals to facilitate life transitions, spiritual forgiveness, support from a religious institution or clergy and reframing a stressful situation into a larger, more benevolent system of meaning.”

He also said that new research studies have linked spiritual struggles to higher levels of psychological distress, declines in physical health and even greater risk of mortality in some patients.